Salt and pepper shaker



July 3, 1956 C. J. D'ANToNlo SALT AND PEPPER SHAKER Filed Aug. 8, 1952 Elll Byyamoz@ United States Patent 2,753,087 SALT AND PEPPER SHAKER Charles J. DAntonio, New Orleans, La. Application August 8,1952, Serial N o. 303,227 1 Claim. (Cl. 222-184) This invention relates to a condiment dispenser and has special reference to a salt and pepper shaker.

One important object of the invention is to provide a simple and efficient device of this character wherein the dispensing of a condiment such as salt or pepper may be obtained by simple pressure on a plunger.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a device of this character with valve means in its bottom so arranged as to prevent the possibility of leakage when the device is set on a table.

A further important object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which may be used for both salt and pepper, the two being kept in separate compartments and individually dispensable.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel spring and valve arrangement for such a dispenser.

With the above and other objects in view that will become apparent as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the novel form, combination, and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, shown in the accompanying drawings, and claimed.

In the drawing:

Figure l is a plan view of the invention looking downwardly thereon,

Figure 2 is a section on line 2--2 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of the invention, and

Figure 4 is a plan View of a modiiied form of the device for holding only a single condiment.

In the embodiment of the invention here shown there is provided a body 10. This body is hollow to provide a pair of chambers 11 which are separated by a wall 12. in the top of this body an opening 13 is provided for filling each chamber. These openings 13 are normally closed by screw plugs 14. One wall of the body is preferably of considerable thickness as shown at 15 and in this wall there is formed an opening or bore 16 which extends down from the top of the body and through the bottom. The bore 16 has an upper section 17 of relatively great diameter and a lower section 18 of relatively small diameter. ln this bore is tted a plunger 19, the ends of which t respectively closely in the upper and lower bore sections. The upper end of the plunger is provided with a cap Ztl which may be removabley from the plunger or may be xedly formed or secured thereon. Surrounding the lower end of the plunger is a coiled compression spring 21 which seats at its lower end on a shoulder 2?. formed between the upper and lower ends of the bore. his spring seats at its upper end on a shoulder 23 formed between the upper and lower sections of the plunger. The bottom of each chamber has an inverted truste-conical face 24 and a frusto-conical recess 25 is formed in the bottom extending upwardly from its lower face to intersect the upper face 24 at a sharp angle as shown at 26.

The lower end of the plunger 19 is provided with a threaded extension 27 whereon is screwed an arm 28 carrying on its free end an upstanding conical projection 29 tting closely in the valve seat formed by the sharp edge26. Extending downwardly from the bottom of the receptacle is a skirt 30 which acts to prevent the arm 28 from unscrewing from the end 27. However, the proportions of the spring and the plunger are such that when it is desired to unscrew the arm for the purpose of thorough cleansing of the device the plunger may be depressed suiciently to allow this arm to swing below the skirt.

A handle 31 of any desired form extends from the body 10, preferably midway between the compartments.

In Figure 4 is shown a top plan view of a device for a single condiment. The construction is substantially the same as in the double compartment arrangement but the body 32 in this form is of less width than the body 10.

It will be observed that the conical projection 29 is in effect a valve that has a sealed or tight connection with the opening in the bottom wall 24 under iniluence of the spring 21 which acts to exclude air and particularly moisture. Also, the skirt 3@ setting ilush on a table or other support aids in preventing the entrance of moisture to the interior of the shaker. The shaft or plunger 19 being located at one side of the housing or body, has the elongated arm with its conical projection valve 29 extending from the lower end thereof in the space conned by the skirt 3i) so that when the plunger 19 is depressed a turning movement of the plunger would cause the free end of the arm 28 to engage a side wall of the skirt to prevent disconnection of the arm from the lower end of the plunger. lt will also be understood that for purposes of cleaning or the like, the arm 2S may be removed from the plunger when its conical projection 29 is engaged with its seat by reversely rotating the plunger.

In operation, salt and pepper or other condiments may be placed separately in the compartments shown and will be held from escaping at the bottom by means of the valve 29. When it is desired to dispense one of the compartments, the plunger 19 controlling the valve for that compartment is depressed.

From the above detailed description of the invention, it is believed that the construction, use, and operation thereof will at once be apparent, and while there is herein shown and described the preferred embodiment of the invention, it is nevertheless to be understood that minor changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is:

In a condiment dispenser, a body having an upper con diment holding chamber provided with a thickened wall at one side thereof, said body having a depending skirt forming an open ended lower chamber beneath said condiment holding chamber, said condiment holding chamber having an air-tight iling closure and a bore in said thickened wall extending from the top of said upper chamber and opening into said lower chamber, a plunger slidably mounted in said bore and projecting therefrom at either end, spring means normally biasing said plunger upwardly, a valve arm threadedly engaged with the lower end of said plunger and extending laterally beneath said upper condiment holding chamber, a conical dispensing aperture in the lower wall of said upper chamber having its larger end opening downwardly and providing a sharp annular valve seat, and an upwardly directed conical valve element on said arm movable upwardly into said dispensing aperture, the angle of generation of said conical valve element being substantially more acute than the angle of generation of said conical dispensing aperture, whereby said conical valve element will be guided into its seat and when seated present a line engagement of said valve and valve seat which will prevent jamming by condiment grains.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Phillippi Feb. 12, 1867 Abbott Nov. 17, 1885 Bradley Apr. 21, 1896 Hamfeldt Mar. 8, 1898 10 Byam Sept. 1, 1908 4 McCreery Nov. 2, 1909 Ziringer Nov. 5, 1912 Younger Feb. 25, 1919 Nierodka Dec. 30, 1919 Nicholas Apr. 20, 1920 Merz Aug. 30, 1927 Allen Nov. 15, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS A Great Britain Feb. 24 1921 

